Brock Netter, Editor
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by Holzer Health System.
AMANDA — Circleville had something to prove on Friday night.
The Tigers remembered that in their last two meetings against Amanda-Clearcreek, the Aces pushed them around, gashing their defense for over 300 rushing yards.
Friday was their chance to push back.
Circleville (3-1, 1-0 MSL) stuck to a physical ground game, and forced two second half turnovers to earn a 21-0 victory over the Aces in each team’s MSL-Buckeye opener.
“We remembered last year when they came to our home turf and dominated us, so we needed this one,” Circleville’s Brayden Brisker said. “We know there’s a good chance to win the MSL, so getting that first conference win is important.”
Ray Ezell was at the center of the storm, and his ability to produce one bruising run after another played a key part in the victory.
He finished the night with 21 carries for 78 yards and all three touchdowns on the evening.
“All the credit goes to my offensive line, they do all of the hard work in the trenches and I’d be nothing without those guys up front,” Ezell said. “It feels great to get the first MSL win and start off strong. We haven’t played very well against Amanda the last two years, so it’s good to get this one.”
Ezell got the game rolling on the opening possession. The Tigers took 11 plays to slowly move down the field before he took a handoff and powered his way seven yards into the end zone for a 7-0 lead.
PHOTOS: Images from Circleville’s win over Amanda-Clearcreek
With less than five minutes left in the half, the Tigers found the end zone again when Ezell powered his way in on a one-yard plunge, making it 14-0.
“Pretty much for my whole high school career, Amanda has been much more physical than us,” Brisker said. “We knew coming in that if we could stop and push them in the trenches that we’d have a great chance to win.”
Amanda-Clearcreek (0-4, 0-1 MSL) had a chance to put points on the board to end the half, but the Tigers blocked a field goal attempt to keep it 14-0 at the break.
The Aces opened the second half with the ball, but on the third play from scrimmage, their pass was intercepted by Wyatt Burbacher.
CREDIT: Brock Netter/SOSA
Seven plays later, Ezell cashed in the final score of the game with an eight-yard dash, ending the night with the Tigers’ third straight victory.
“We had 11 hats to the ball all night and played with such a different energy tonight,” Brisker said. “Playing Chillicothe in week one, we were a few plays away from it being a different outcome, but we didn’t pout or anything. We just went back to work and the wins have piled up ever since.”
Circleville returns to action on Friday at McClain for non-conference action, while Amanda-Clearcreek travels to Hamilton Township.
“We find reasons why we have to win every game, so there’s no overlooking anyone,” Brisker said. “McClain is undefeated and playing good ball, so those are computer points for us that we need.”
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